18th-century sunken boat discovered by chance under sea in Croatia's famous city of Dubrovnik
DUBROVNIK, Croatia (AP) — A sunken 18th-century boat has been discovered by chance near the majestic stone walls of Croatia's medieval city of Dubrovnik.
Ivan Bukelic was working on a water pipeline in Dubrovnik's old port back in April when he found a wooden structure buried in the seabed.
'I can now say I discovered a boat at the Old Town Dubrovnik,' Bukelic, who is a diver and undersea builder from Dubrovnik, said.
He added the vessel was some 60-80 centimeters (23-31 inches) under the sea bottom.
A key trade port in the Adriatic Sea in medieval times, Dubrovnik has been declared a UNESCO protected heritage site. It attracts huge crowds of tourists, especially during the summer, and is also known as a filming site for HBO's Game of Thrones series.
The remains of the boat in Dubrovnik's old port have been protected for further examination.
'We still cannot speak of the type of vessel or its dimensions but we can say for certain, based on the results of radiocarbon analysis that it was from late 18th century,' marine archaeologist Irena Radić Rossi said.
Radić Rossi said the aim is to continue with the research in cooperation with Croatia's Ministry of Culture: 'We must protect it for the future.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Business News
4 hours ago
- Time Business News
Darjeeling Tour Packages & Tourism Guide 2025 – Toy Train, Tea Gardens & Himalayan Views
Set in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, Darjeeling is where colonial charm, tea-scented breezes, and Kanchenjunga sunrises come together. It's a place that blends serenity, culture, and natural beauty — perfect for honeymooners, families, and solo travelers alike. Whether you're sipping tea on a foggy morning or riding the UNESCO-listed Toy Train, Darjeeling tourism offers more than just a trip — it offers timeless memories. And with our expertly curated Darjeeling tour packages, you can experience the very best of this charming hill town without the hassle of planning. 🚞 This is your one-stop guide to Darjeeling tourism and the best-value Darjeeling tour packages ✅ Highlight 💡 What You'll Experience Himalayan Sunrises View of Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill Iconic Toy Train Ride the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (UNESCO) World-Famous Tea Visit and taste at Happy Valley Tea Estate Peaceful Monasteries Ghoom, Dali, and Japanese Peace Pagoda Colonial Heritage British-era schools, churches & architecture Family & Couple Friendly Safe, walkable, and culturally rich Day Experience Day 1 Arrival, stroll along Mall Road & Observatory Hill Day 2 Tiger Hill Sunrise, Batasia Loop, Ghoom Monastery, Toy Train Ride Day 3 Himalayan Zoo, HMI, Tea Garden Visit, Peace Pagoda Day 4 Local market shopping + departure 🧘 You can add Kalimpong, Mirik, or Lamahatta as optional day trips. Package Name Duration Price (Per Person) Darjeeling Scenic Getaway 3 Days / 2 Nights ₹6,999 Classic Darjeeling Tour 4 Days / 3 Nights ₹9,499 Darjeeling + Kalimpong Combo 5 Days / 4 Nights ₹12,500 Family Holiday in the Hills 5 Days / 4 Nights ₹11,499 Darjeeling Honeymoon Delight 4 Days / 3 Nights ₹13,999 Darjeeling Tea & Heritage Trail 5 Days / 4 Nights ₹14,800 🧾 All packages include hotel stay, breakfast/dinner, sightseeing, permits & private vehicle. ✈️ Flight/train fare can be added on request. If you're visiting Darjeeling and want to add a short Himalayan trek to your trip, the Sandakphu Phalut Trek is a perfect extension. Located just a few hours from Darjeeling town, Sandakphu (11,930 ft) is the highest point in West Bengal and offers panoramic views of four of the five highest peaks in the world — Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga — in one stunning frame. EasoTrip specializes in organizing guided Sandakphu treks with comfortable homestay stays, experienced local guides, and optional Land Rover safaris for non-trekkers. Whether you're a first-time trekker or looking for a peaceful mountain experience, EasoTrip's Sandakphu packages provide a seamless and scenic extension to your Darjeeling holiday. Trek along the India–Nepal border ridge ridge Pass through beautiful villages like Tumling and Kalipokhri Stay in warm homestays (no tents needed) (no tents needed) Spot red pandas and blooming rhododendrons in season View the Sleeping Buddha range at sunrise from Sandakphu 🏞️ Perfect for those who want to explore beyond tea gardens and monasteries. This is where Darjeeling meets raw Himalayan adventure. 👉 For detailed Sandakphu trek itinerary, cost, and travel guide, click here. Hotel Name Location Why Stay Here Cedar Inn Near Mall Road Heritage luxury + valley views Mayfair Darjeeling Opp. Governor's House 5-star colonial vibe Hotel Seven Seventeen Gandhi Road Budget + central location Windamere Observatory Hill Classic British-era charm Muscatel Himalayan Resort Near Clock Tower Affordable & modern From Mode Details Bagdogra Airport Flight + Road 3.5 hrs by private cab NJP Railway Station Train + Road 3–4 hrs drive to Darjeeling Siliguri Shared taxi / car Available all day 🚞 Toy Train runs between NJP → Ghoom → Darjeeling (limited tickets). Watch the Kanchenjunga Sunrise from Tiger Hill from Tiger Hill Ride the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Toy Train Visit Batasia Loop & Ghoom Monastery & Ghoom Monastery Explore the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute & Zoo & Zoo Sip tea at Happy Valley Tea Estate Walk to the Japanese Peace Pagoda Shop for woolens, local art, and Darjeeling tea at Mall Road Day Trip to Lamahatta Eco Park Explore Mirik Lake & Pine Forests Paragliding in Kalimpong Stay at a tea bungalow Sunrise Photography at Tinchuley Hike to Tiger Hill View Point (early morning walk) ✅ Honeymoon Specials – Romantic stays with decorated rooms, private cab, and candlelight dinners ✅ Family Packages – Includes Toy Train ride, Himalayan Zoo visit, and kid-friendly stays ✅ Budget Backpacker Options – Affordable homestays, shared cabs, and local experiences ✅ Senior Citizen Itineraries – Fewer hotel transfers, relaxed sightseeing, and attentive care ✅ Darjeeling + Sikkim Combo Tours – Seamless travel plans connecting both regions Whether you're traveling with your partner, family, or solo — EasoTrip's Darjeeling experts design packages that balance comfort, safety, and local experiences. With verified drivers, handpicked hotels, permit assistance, and 24×7 support, you're in safe hands from pickup to drop. 📞 Ready to plan your Darjeeling escape? Contact EasoTrip now via WhatsApp or call: +91 70017 24300 Or visit: 🎒 Trusted. Transparent. Tailored for You. Q1: Is Darjeeling safe for solo travelers or couples? Yes! It's one of the safest, cleanest, and most welcoming hill stations in India. Q2: Can I visit Darjeeling year-round? Yes. March–May and October–December are ideal. Winter (Dec–Feb) is great for clear skies and fewer crowds. Q3: What's the best view spot in Darjeeling? Tiger Hill at sunrise – shows the Sleeping Buddha (Kanchenjunga range). Q4: Is Darjeeling good for families with kids? Absolutely. Zoo, Toy Train, and gardens keep kids entertained while adults relax. Can I extend to Sikkim or Kalimpong? Yes – we can build combo tours (Darjeeling + Gangtok + Pelling + Kalimpong). Want to visit Sikkim but not sure where to begin? 👉 Click here to explore your perfect Sikkim trip now — plans for every traveler, every season. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Forbes
6 hours ago
- Forbes
Lake Geneva's Terraced Lavaux Vineyards Gaining Deserved Notice
The terraced vineyards of Lavaux on Lake Geneva are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Credit: Maude Rion If Switzerland hardly jumps to mind as a wine producing nation and the white grape variety Chasselas rings no bell, expect that to change as the stretch of steep Lake Geneva shoreline called Lavaux gains ever more recognition. Between Lausanne and Montreux in the canton of Vaud, Lavaux's south-facing terraced vineyards are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town of Vevey makes an ideal base for exploring this section of the broader area known as the Montreux Riviera. You can dispel with thoughts of only the usual trifecta of Swiss watches, cheese and chocolate as your goal here. Perhaps you already know the small Italian-speaking canton of Ticino as a prime wine growing region. Some 2,000 acres harvested here in Lavaux represent an even tinier fraction of the wine world, but it's all packing an ever great wallop on the enotourism scene. Even without vineyards that go back to Roman times, the views from Lavaux to the Alps on the southern French side of Lake Geneva are spectacular. Switzerland's exceptional train system with its unlimited Swiss Travel Pass makes it a mere hour ride to get here from Geneva and twenty minutes from Lausanne. From the train stop at Grandvaux village, a wander down the slopes toward the lake takes you through the heart of this unique physical and cultural environment. With their stone houses, hamlets dotted throughout the Lavaux terraced landscape look much like they have for centuries. Credit: Maude Rion You would do well in advance to engage the services of UNESCO-certified guide Marc Checkley who has lived in Lavaux for nearly a decade. The New Zealand native with an infectious enthusiasm for the region is adept at walking backward downhill as he explains 15,000 years of geologic time; how a retreat of the Rhône Glacier began creating the deep lake; and, how, like right out of a Hollywood cataclysmic event, the 6th-century Tauredunum mountain collapse triggered a tsunami and caused massive shoreline destruction all the way to Geneva on the lake's southwestern tip. As you walk through hamlets and between 280-miles-worth of high stone walls that monks built a millennia ago to create the terraces, Checkley explains how the walls breath and retain the solar heat that keeps the narrow lanes and vines themselves warm at night. The sun reflecting off the lake adds to the ripening process. To the English ear, domaine sounds like a grand name for what here at Domaine Potterat is, like most Lavaux wineries, a quintessentially small family run operation. In the post card-perfect village of Cully, Eliane and Guillaume Potterat work over a six-hundred-year old cellar. Their late-19th-century press is primitive enough that it takes a team of workers to push the heavy timber lever to crush the grapes, but its cast iron mechanics are a thing of late-industrial era beauty. Among the some 30,000 bottles that Domaine Potterat produces annually, their Epesses Grand Cru, Courseboux and Côtes de Courseboux white wines are among the best known. You'll find a weekly farmers market just outside their operation in the narrow streets of Cully, while in springtime some performances of the Cully Jazz festival are held in their cellar and garden. The CGN fleet of historic ships plies the waters of Lake Geneva, with a stop at Lavaux. Credit: Marie Contreras Uncommonly these days, all harvesting in Lavaux is done by hand—given the challenging terrain, not such a remarkable practice. Just enjoying the exquisite countryside here might be good enough reason to come back in the fall to sign up with a vintner and join in the labor yourself. With plenty of helpful signage along the paths and roads, you can't get lost among the Lavaux terraces. Down in Cully proper, one of various docks on Lake Geneva is a stop for the CGN fleet of Belle Époque steam paddle boats that still ply the waters. To be sure, a few in the fleet of eight are no longer steam powered, but the big red paddle wheels on either side remain a romantic element. With Lake Geneva having thirty species of fish, trout, perch or monkfish may well be on the menu for lunch that can be booked onboard, along with wine tastings. A cruise is also the chance to spot some of 230 bird species at home here, from ducks of all manner to mute swans, gray herons, great crested grebes and great cormorants. In the town of Vevey, the Hôtel des Trois Couronnes lies right on Lake Geneva. Credit: Leading Hotels of the World Two Leading Hotels of the World member properties lie within minutes of one another. Le Mirador Resort and Spa on Le Mont-Pèlerin looks far over the lake. In the town of Vevey, the Hôtel des Trois Couronnes with origins back to 1842 retains its old world flair—attic rooms have heavy timber crossbeams that run low through the middle, so watch your head. It should be a rule that dining under the Le 3C Restaurant patio awning be followed by a walk on the lake promenade. The property's Puressens Spa includes a long ground floor lap pool. Two doors from the hotel, the Alimentarium museum takes up a handsome early 20th-century Neo-classical lakefront building. As it once housed Nestlé headquarters, no surprise that the museum is devoted to food and nutrition around the world. La Fourchette , or the Fork of Vevey, is an instantly recognizable Instagram star of a 26-foot-tall stainless steel sculpture that sticks up from the lake water. Just outside of Vevey, fans of the seminal modern architect Le Corbusier can drop in for a look at his mid-1920s Villa Le Lac on the water. Minutes away inland, the Chaplin's World museum is housed in Manoir de Ban where the early cinema genius Charlie spent the last 25 years of his life, and is devoted to his work.
7 hours ago
18th-century sunken boat discovered by chance under sea in Croatian city
DUBROVNIK, Croatia -- A sunken 18th-century boat has been discovered by chance near the majestic stone walls of Croatia's medieval city of Dubrovnik. Ivan Bukelic was working on a water pipeline in Dubrovnik's old port back in April when he found a wooden structure buried in the seabed. 'I can now say I discovered a boat at the Old Town Dubrovnik,' Bukelic, who is a diver and undersea builder from Dubrovnik, said. He added the vessel was some 60-80 centimeters (23-31 inches) under the sea bottom. A key trade port in the Adriatic Sea in medieval times, Dubrovnik has been declared a UNESCO protected heritage site. It attracts huge crowds of tourists, especially during the summer, and is also known as a filming site for HBO's Game of Thrones series. The remains of the boat in Dubrovnik's old port have been protected for further examination. 'We still cannot speak of the type of vessel or its dimensions but we can say for certain, based on the results of radiocarbon analysis that it was from late 18th century,' marine archaeologist Irena Radić Rossi said. Radić Rossi said the aim is to continue with the research in cooperation with Croatia's Ministry of Culture: 'We must protect it for the future.'
